DiscipleDeck
Get started
Bible Commentary

Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

Parallel passage: , . But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Of all kinds, whether personal or opponents of you as Christians. Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.

Rightly omitted by the Revised Version as interpolated from Luke, (For the thought, cf. 1 Corinthians 4:12; .) And pray. In fullest contrast to the continual ill-wishing of the enemy. "They who can pray for their enemies can accomplish the rest" (Weiss, 'Life,' 2.

154). Thus to pray is to come very near to the spirit of Christ (cf. . 34; ). As a modern example: "Some persons had never had a particular place in my prayers, but for the injuries they have done to me" (Burkitt, ' Diary,' in Ford, on verse 5).

For them that despitefully use you, and persecute you. The words, "that despitefully use you and," are to be omitted, with the Revised Version, as in effect interpolated from Luke.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Read today's devotionalSave my progress

Recommended reading

More for Matthew 5:44

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew 5 — OverviewMatthew 5 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThis chapter, and the two that follow it, are a sermon; a famous sermon; the sermon upon the mount. It is the longest and fullest continued discourse of our Saviour that we have upon record in all the gospels.…Matthew 5 — OverviewMatthew 5 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeMatthew 5:1, Christ’s sermon on the mount; Matthew 5:3, Who are blessed; Matthew 5:13, the salt of the earth; Matthew 5:14, the light of the world; Matthew 5:17, He came to fulfil the law; Matthew 5:21, What it is to…Matthew 5:1-48Matthew 5:1-48 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONMatthew 5:17-48Matthew 5:17-48 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe second part of the sermon: the mount of the Beatitudes and Mount Sinai: the new Law and the old. I. CHRIST THE FULFILLER OF THE LAW. 1. He came not to destroy. They must not misunderstand the purpose of his…Matthew 5:17-48Matthew 5:17-48 · The Pulpit CommentarySermon on the mount: 3. Exceeding righteousness. A teacher who compels the public to look at an unfamiliar truth, the reformer who introduces a new style of goodness, will be misinterpreted just in proportion to the…Matthew 5:21-48Matthew 5:21-48 · The Pulpit Commentary(a) Our Lord is still concerned with the relation of himself and his followers to the religion of the day, of which the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17), and more especially the Law (Matthew 5:18), was the accepted…
commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe BridgePeacekeepers avoid conflict. Peacemakers resolve it. Stop building walls to protect yourself, and start building bridges to reach others. Your worship depends on it.DiscipleDeckdevotionThe ScalpelThe Bible isn't just a blanket to comfort you; it is a scalpel meant to heal you. If the Word never offends or corrects your life, you aren't reading it right.DiscipleDeckdevotionThe Most Underrated DoctrineMillions say 'I believe in the forgiveness of sins' every Sunday without knowing what it means. The cross didn't reduce your debt — it cancelled it. Completely. Has your soul received that?DiscipledeckdevotionThe KissThe deepest wounds don't come from enemies; they come from friends. Jesus knew this pain too.DiscipleDeckdevotionThe Porcupine’s DilemmaForgiveness doesn't mean "Trust." Forgiveness is instant (letting go of the past); Trust is built over time (proving safety for the future). You can forgive an abusive person without letting them back into your life immediately.Discipledeck